Stacker for silent-chain links.



0. H. SPENCER.

STACKER FOR SILENT CHAIN LINKS.

APPLICATION FILED APR-24, 1916.

1,256,942. Patented Feb. 19,1918.

2 susns-sus'sr 1.

W INVENTOR TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OWEN H. SPENCER, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO LINK-BELT COMPANY,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

STACKER FOR SILENT-CHAIN LINKS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 19, 1918.

Application filed April 24, 1916. Serial No. 93,322.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OWEN H. SPENCER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Stacker for Silent-Chain Links, of which the following is a specification.

In the manufacture of silent chain links, it is necessary that the links be operated on individually a number of times in order to produce the finished chain. Heretofore it has been necessary in practice to place the individual links in position by hand for each operation, involving great labor and expense, as the links are manufactured and handled by the million.

The present invention is one of a series, having the ultimate object of automatically bringing the links into position to be operated on, and has for its particular object the transferring of a series of links from an end-to-end arrangement with their points all in the same direction to a side-by-side arrangement so that the points and the pitch holes or pivot pin holes in all-the links register, and placing the links in this latter position on a conveyer which will carry them in such position and arrangement to the desired place.

The mechanism for bringing the links from a haphazard mass to an endto-end arrangement with the points all pointing in the same direction forms the subject-matter of other inventions; and the conveyor or slide rail on to which the links are placed by my present invention forms, per se, the subject-matter of a co-pending applicatlon of Frank J. Oakes, Ser. No. 93,326, of even filing date herewith. My present invention relates to the intermediate mechanism, for stacking the links in a side-by-side arrangement, and to the combination thereof with the supply chute which feeds it and the conveyer which it feeds. The links may be fed inthe initial end-to-end arrangement referred to to certain machines for treating the links, usually individually; or maybe and usually are fed in such arrangement to a device such as that forming the subjectmatter of the present application or that forming part of the subject-matter of the co-pending application of Henry E. Hayward Ser. No. 93,321, of even filing date herewith, by which this initial link arrange ment, with the links arranged all in the sameposition end to end, is transformed to a second arrangement or stack of links, with the links arranged side by side with their points registering. This second arrangement or stack is found to be a most convenient and suitable one for transporting the links from one place to another, as on the slide rail shown in the Oakes application above referred to, and for handling the links in other machines which may operate on them, either individually, or in the assembling of the complete chain, as for instance those shown in the co-pending applications of Frank J. Oakes and Owen H. Spencer, Ser. Nos. 93,324 and 93,325, also of even filing date herewith. "The various inventions covered by these several applications may be used together in different arrangements in the manufacture of silent chains. It has been found that the initial arrangement of links in an end-to-end relationship with the links all in the same position and with their points all toward the same side is probably the most convenient and eflicient starting point for getting the links into the second arrangement, or stack, with the links side by side with their'points and crotches all registering; and that this second arrangement or stack is probably the most convenient and eliicient arrangement for the handling of the links throughout the subsequent operations on them and in the assembling of the chain.

The accompanying drawings illustrate my invention. Figure 1 is a front face view of a stacker-embodying my invention in its preferred form; Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a partial section on the line-33 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a front face view of a somewhat simpler form'of stacker; Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

The links 10 are supplied in any suitable manner in an end-to-end arrangement with their points all in the same direction, to the upper end of a vertical chute 11, which is open at the front, as clear from Figs. 1 and 4, and near its lower end is preferably bent forward so that it is slightly oblique, as clear from Fig. 5. This chute is of such size that it holds the links in this end-to-end arrangement without overlapping but with directed, so that the link points are toward the inside of such circular chute 12. The links travel around this circular chute approximately 270, until they cometo the ighest point thereof, at which point there is a hole 13 through the back or supporting face of said circular chute, which hole is of proper size and shape to allow the passage of a single l nk through it with the link remaining parallel to the plane of the chute 12. At this hole. the points .of the link are downward, and the hole registers properly T-shape so that a link slide rail 14.

Fig. 5, and is perpendicular 14 of general inverted. which passes through the hole 13 passes on to and astride of the The receiving end of this slide rail is conveniently of such slope that the link slides along it by gravity, as clear from to the plane of the circular chute 12. The lower end of the slide rail 14 may be horizontal, and may be providedwith a stop 15 against which the links 10 pile up. The slide rail per 86 is the invention of Frank J. Oakes, and is set forth in detail in his aforesaid co-pending application.

The links 10 are carried around in the circular chute 12 by a toothed wheel 20" pivoted to turn in the plane of such circular chute about the center thereof. The wheel 20 is provided with. a number of teeth 21 which are properly spaced apart so as to project into-the crotches 22 of the links 10 as said links are fed into the circular chute 12 from the chute 11, the projecting portions of these teeth 21 being shaped to correspond in. general to the shape of the crotch 22, and bein different for different shapes of links, as il ustrated in Figs. 1 and 4. These teeth 21 hold the successive links 10 at slight distances apart, instead of allowing them to abut as they do in the chute 11; f desired, the wheel 20 may have a second set of teeth 23, usually narrower than the teeth 21, which teeth alternate with the teeth 21 and project between adjacent links- 10 in the circular chute 12. These teeth 23 are desirable, but are not absolutely necessary, and are provided in the wheel 20 shown in Fig. 1 but not in the wheel 20 shown in Fig. 4. The advancing edges 24 of the teeth 21, and also of the teeth 23 when such teeth are provided, are beveled, as clear from Figs. 2, 5, and 6, so that such edges are further advanced toward the front face of the wheel than toward the rear face. This causes these beveled ed 'es 24 to act as cams on the links 10 to 1101 the links firmly against the real;

with a slide rail In order to prevent the links 10 from being carried past the h0le -,;13, a stop 25-is provided on the side of such hole opposite that from which thelinks 10 are fed to it, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5... This stop may have its working face at right angles to the'plane of the circular chute 12, as shown by the face 26in Figs. 4 and 6, in which case the force of gravity and the cam action of the faces 24 are wholly relied on for forcing the links through the hole 13, or ma be oblique to such plane, as is the face 2 in the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 and 2, rojecting farther toward the advancmg link at the front than at the rear, so that it also acts as a cam to assist the force of gravity and the cam faces 24 in 'forclng the link through the hole 13 on to the slide rail 14. If desired, the stop 25 may be adjustable, by bein mounted on a shde 28 which is-forced to e left ('Fig. 1) by a spring 29 butv may be moved to the right against the action of such spring by a screw 30.

Preferably, in order to minimize friction and prevent catching of the links, the openmg 13 is made considerably larger throughout the greater part of the ends, and back of the link than is the link which is to slide through it, but is provided with inwardly projecting ibs 31 (Fig. 1) which pro ect m-so as of the link and thus guide it with'a minimum of friction. These ridges 31 are so.

to bear against the edges links near their backs are covered by an inwardly projecting flange, which may be held permanently in place as in the arrangement shown in Fig. 4, or ma be formed by a. removable ring 33 seated in a pocket 34, so that by the removal of such ring, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, access is given to the links in the chute 12 and if necessary links may be removed from or placed in such chute.

- In" operation, links 10 are supplied in an end-to-end arrangement and with their points all in the same direction to the upper end of the chute 11. These links slide down the chute 11 in this end-'to-end arrangement and pass tangentially into the circular chute 12 at the left (Figs. 1 and 4). The teeth 21 of the wheel 20 pass up into the respective crotches of the links, and the teeth 23 when provided pass between adjacent'links, thus separating the links slightly one from'another. The weight of the links in the chute 11 furnishes the motive force which forces the links down along such chute and around into the circular chute 12, and which turns the wheel 20 in the direction of the arrow. This force is transferred from the link 10 just passing from the chute 11 into the chute 12 to the teeth- 21 and 23 and therefrom to the wheel 20, which acts through other teeth 21 and 23 to carry other links in the circular chute 12 around the latter, so that the links 10 in the right hand half of the circular chute 20 (Figs. 1 and 4) lie back against the teeth 21 and 23 by reason of gravity and friction and are propelled forward by such teeth as the wheel 20 turns. The movement of the parts stops when the weight of the links 10 in the chute 11 falls below a certain value, which is required to overcome the friction of the parts. As the links 10 are carried around by the teeth 21 and 23, they come successively opposite the hole 13, through which they are forced on to the slide rail 14 by the cam faces 24 and the cam face 27 assisted by gravity. The links slide down the slide rail 14 and stack up in a sideby-side arrangement at the lower end thereof.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination, a chute for receiving silent chain links in an end-to-end arrangement with the link points all pointing in the same direction, a circular chute into which said first chute discharges substantially tangentially and having its center on that side of the first chute toward which the link points are directed, said circular chute having an opening for allowing a link to slide from said circular chute out of the plane of the latter, and a slide rail in position to receive astride it links which slide through said opening.

2. In combination, a chute for receiving crotched links in an end-to-end arrangement, a circular chute into which said first chute discharges substantially tangentially, said circular chute having an opening for allowing a link to slide from said circular chute out of the plane of the latter, and a slide rail in position to receive astride it links which slide through said opening.

3. In combination, a chute for receiving silent chain links in an end-to-end arrangement with the link points all pointing in the same direction, a circular chute into which said first chute discharges substantially tangentially and having its center on that side of the first chute toward which the link points are directed, said circular chute having an opening. for allowing a link to slide from said circular chute out of the plane of the latter, a slide rail in position to receive astride it links which slide through that side of the first chute toward which the link points are directed, said circular chute having an opening for allowing a link to slide from said circular chute out of the plane of the latter, a slide rail in osition to receive astride it links which sli e through said opening, and a wheel pivoted at the center of said circular chute and having teeth projecting into said circular chute for enga ng the links in said chute.

5. n combination, a chute for receiving crotched links in an end-to-end arrangement, a circular chute into which said first chute discharges substantially tangentially, said circular chute havingan opening for allowing a link to slide from said circular chute out of the plane of the latter, a slide rail in position to receive astride it links which slide through said opening, and a wheel pivoted at the center of said circular chute and having teeth projecting into said circular chute for engaging the links in said chute, said teeth being tapered so as to act as cams to force the links through said opening.

6. In combination, a chute for receiving crotched links in an end-to-end arrangement, a circular chute into which said first chute discharges substantially tangentially, said circular chute having an opening for al.- lowing a link to slide from said circular chuteout of the plane of the latter, a slide rail in position to receive astrideit links which slide through said opening, and a wheel pivoted at the center of said circular chute and having teeth projecting into said circular chute for engaging the links in said chute.

7. In combination, a chute for receiving crotched links in an end-to-end arrangement, a circular chute into which said first chute discharges substantially tangentially, said circular chute having an opening for allowing a link to slide from said circular chute out of the plane of the latter, a slide rail in position to receive astride it links which slide through said opening, and a wheel pivoted at the center of said circular chute and having teeth projecting into said circular chute for engaging the links in said chute, said teeth projecting into the crotches of the links.

8. In combination, a chute for receiving crotched links in an end-to-end arrangement,

a circular chute into which said chute discharges substantially tangentially, said circular chute having an opening for allowing a link to slide from said circular chute out of the plane of the latter, a slide ra11 in position to .receive astride 1t hnks wh ch slide through said opening, and a wheel pivoted at the center of said circular chute and having teeth projecting into said circular chute for engaging the links in said chute, said teeth projecting between ad acent links so as to space them apart.

9. Incombination, a chute for receiving crotched links -"in an end-to-end arrangement, a circular chute into which said first chute discharges substantially tangentially, said circular chute having an o ening for v allowing a link to slide from sald circular chute out of the plane of the latter,'a slide rail in position to receive astride it links which slide through said opening, and a wheel pivoted at the center of said circular chute and having teeth projecting into said circular chute for engaging the links in said chute, alternate teeth projecting into the crotches of the links and between adjacent I links.

10. In combination, a chute for receiving crotched links in an end-to-end arrangement, a circular chute into which said first chute discharges substantially tangentially,

-said circular chute having an opening for allowing a link to slide from said circular chute out of the plane of the latter, a slide chute discharges substantially tangentially,.

said circular chute having an opening for allowing a link to slide from said circular chute out of the plane of the latter, a slide rail in position to receive astride it links which slide through said opening, and a wheel pivoted at the center of said circular chute and having teeth projecting into said circular chute for engagmg the links in said chute, said teeth projecting between adjacent links so as to space ,them apart, said teeth being tapered so as to act as cams to force the links through said opening.

12. In combination, a chute for receiving crotched links in an end-to-end arrangement, a circular chute into which said said first .chute discharges substantially tangentially, said circular chute having an opening for allowing a link to slide from said circular chute out of the plane of the latter, a slide rail in position to receive astride it links which slide through said opening, and a wheel pivoted at the center of said circular chute and having teeth rejecting into said circular chute for engaging the links in, said chute, alternate teeth projecting into the crotches of the links and between adjacent links, said teeth being tapered so as to act as cams to force the hnks through said open ng. p

' 13. In combination, a chute, for receiving crotched links in an end-to-end arrangement, a circular chute into which said first chute discharges substantially tangentially, said circular chute having an opening for allow mg a link to slide from'said circular chute out ofthe plane of the latter, a slide rail in position to receive astride it links which slide through said opening,'and-astop for preventing said links from movin in said circular chute beyond said opening, said stop having a beveled face which serves as a cam to force the links through said open- .14. In combrnatmn, a chute for receiving crotched hnks m an end-to-end arrangement, a circular chute into which said first chute discharges substantially tangentially, said circular chute having an opening for allowing a link to slide from said circular chute out of the plane of the latter,- a slide rail in position to receive astride it links which slide through said opening, and a stop for preventing said links from moving in said circular chute beyond said opening.

15. In combination, a chute for receiving crotchedlinks in an end-to-end arrangement, a circular chuteinto which said first chute discharges substantially tangentially, said circular chute having an opening for allowing a link to slide from said circular chute out of the plane of the latter, a slide rail in position to receive astride it links which slide through said opening, a wheel pivoted at the center of said circular chute and having teeth projecting into said circular chute for for preventing said links from moving in said circular chute beyond said opening, said stop having a beveled face which serves as a cam to force the links through said opening.

engaging the links in said chute, and a stop 16. In combination, a chute for receiving crotched links in an end' to-end arrangement, a circular chute into which said first chute discharges substantially tangentially, said circular chute having an opening for allowing a link to slide from said circular chute out of the plane of the latter, a slide rail in position to receive astride it links which slide through said opening, a wheel pivoted at the center of said circular chute and having teeth projecting into said circular chute for engaglng the llIlkS in said chute, and a stop for preventing said links from moving in said circular chute beyond said opening.

17. In combination, a chute for receiving crotched links in an end-to-end arrangement, a circular chute into which said first chute discharges substantially tangentially, said circular chute having an opening for allOW- ing a link to slide from said circular chute out of the plane of the latter, a slide rail in position to receive astride it links which slide through said opening, a wheel pivoted at the center of said circular chute and having teeth projecting into said circular chute for engaging the links in said chute, said teeth being tapered so as to act as cams to force the links through said opening, and a stop for preventing said links from moving n said circular chute beyond said opening, said stop having a beveled working face which serves asa cam which cooperates with the beveled faces of the teeth to force the links through said opening.

18. In combination, a chute for receiving crotched linksin an end-to-end arrangement, a circular chute into which said first chute discharges substantially tangentially, said circular chute having an opening for allowing a link to slide from said circular chute out of the plane of the latter, a slide rail in position to receive astride it links which slide through said opening, a wheel pivoted at the center of said circular chute and having teeth projecting into said circular chute for engaging the links in said chute, said teeth being tapered so as to act as cams to force the links through said opening, and a stop for preventing said links from moving in said circular chute beyond said opening.

19. In combination, a chute for crotched links in an end-to-end arrangement, said chute having a lateral opening for allowing links to slide from said chute out of the plane of the latter, and a slide rail in position to receive astride it links which slide through said lateral opening.

20. In combination, a chute for crotched links in an end-to-end arrangement, said chute having a lateral opening for allowing links to slide from said chute out of the plane of the latter, a slide rail in position to receive astride it links which slide through said lateral opening, and a stop for preventing said links from moving in said chute beyond said opening, said stop having a beveled working face which serves as a cam to force the links through said opening.

21. In combination a chute for crotched links in an end-to-end arrangement, said chute having a lateral opening for allowing links to slide from said chute out of the plane of the latter, a slide rail in position to receive astride it links which slide through said lateral opening, and a stop for preventing said links from moving in said chute beyond said opening.

22. In combination, a chute for crotched links in an end-to-end arrangement, said chute having an opening for allowing links to slide out of it, a conveyer for receiving in side-by-side arrangement links discharged from said opening, and a spacing device for holding spaced from a link at such opening the other links in the chute.

23. In combination, a chute for crotched links in an end-to-end arrangement, said chute having an opening for allowing links to slide out of it, a conveyer for receiving in side-by-side arrangement links discharged from said opening, a spacing device for holding spaced from a link at such opening the other links in the chute, and a stop for preventing said links from moving in said chute beyond said opening, said stop having a beveled working face which serves as a cam to force the links through said opening.

24. In combination, a chute for crotched links in an end-to-endarrangement, said chute havingan opening for allowing links to slide out of it, a conveyer for receiving in side-by-side arrangement links discharged from said opening, a spacing device for holding spaced from a link at such opening the other links in the chute, and a stop for preventing said links from moving in said chute beyond said opening.

25. In combination, a support for holding crotched links in end-to-end relationship, a

support for holding said links in side-byside arrangement, said first support being arranged to discharge links singly on to said second support, and a spacing device for holding spaced from a link about to be discharged from said first support the other links on said first support.

26. In combination, a support for holding crotched links in en'd-to-end relationship, a support for holding said links in side-bysidearrangement, discharge mechanism for receiv ng links from said first support and depositing them on said second support, and a spacing device for holding spaced from a link about to be discharged from said first support the other links on said first support.

27. In combination, a chute forreceiving flat members in edge-to-edge relationship, and a conveyer for receiving said flat members in side-by-side relationship, said chute being provided with a lateral opening for permitting the flat members reaching it to be discharged therethrough out of the plane of the chute, and said conveyer being arranged to receive in side-by-side relationship the fiat members discharged through said opening.

28. In combination, a chute for receiving flat members in edge-to-edge relationship, a

- in said chute.

29. In combination, a chute forreceiving flat members in edge-to-edge relationship, a conveyer for receivin said flat members in side-by-side relations ip, said chute being provided with a lateral openingfor permit-- ting the flat members reaching it to be discharged therethrough out of the plane of the chute, and said conveyer being arranged to receive in side-by-side relationship the fiat members discharged through said opening, said chute near said opening being areshaped, and a Wheel provided with teeth projecting into said chute to, engage the flat members therein for carrying them along said chute to said opening.

30. In combination, a chute for receiving flat members in edge-to-edge relationship, a conveyer for receiving said flat members in side-by-side relationship, said chute being provided with a lateral opening for permitting the flat members reachmg it to be dischar ed therethrough out of the plane of the c ute, and said convever being arranged to receive in side-by-side relationship the flat members discharged through said opening, said chute near said opening being arcshaped, and a wheel provided with teeth projecting into said chute to. engage the flat members therein for carryin them along said chute to said opening, sa1d teeth holding spaced from one anotherthe flat members which they engage. I

31. In combination, a chute for receiving flat members-in edge-to-edge relationship, a conveyer for receivin said flat members in side-by-side relations ip, said chute being provided with a lateral opening for permitting the flat members reaching it to be dischar ed therethrough out of the plane of the c ute, and said conveyer being arranged to receive in side-by-side relationship the flat members discharged through said opening, said chute near said opening being areshaped, and a wheel provided with teeth pro ecting into said chute to engage the flat members therein for carrying them along said chute to said opening, the forward faces of said teeth being tapered to act as cams tending to force said flat members through said opening when it is reached.

32. In combination, a chute for receiving flat members in edge-to ed e relationship, a conveyer for receivin sai flat members in side-b -side relations ip, said chute being provi ed with a lateral opening for permitting the flat members reaching it to be discharged therethrough out of the plane of the which chute, and said conveyer being arranged to receive in side-by-side relationship the fiat members discharged through said opening, and a stop for enga ing said fiat members when they reach saicI opening'and preventing them from traveling ast said opening. 33.- In' combination, a c ute for receiving flat members in edge-to-ed e relationship, a conveyer for receivin sai flat members in side-b -side relations ip, said chute being provi ed with a lateral opening for permit-' ting the fiat members reaching it to be discharged therethrough out of the plane of the chute, and said conveyer being arranged to receive in side-by-side relationship the fiat members discharged through said opening, and a stop for enga ing said flat members when they reach sai opening and preventing them from traveling past said opening, sa1d stop being tapered so that it acts as a cam to force through said opening the flat members which en age it.

34. In combin'atlon, a chute for receiving crotched links in an end-to-end arrangement, a circular chute into which said first chute discharges substantially tangentially, said circular chute having an opening for allowing a link to slide from said circular chute out ofthe plane of the latter, a slide rail in position to receive astride it links which slide through said 0 ening, and a wheel pivoted at the center 0 said circular chute and having teeth projecting into said circular chute for engaging the links in said chute,

said wheel being so arranged that it is operated by the weight of the links in the chutes.

35. In combination, a chute for receiving crotched links in an end-to-end arrangement, a circular chute into which said first chute discharges substantially tangentially, said circular chute havin an opening for allowing a link to slide rom sa1d circular chute out of the plane of the latter, a slide rail .in osition to receive astride it links ide through said openin and a wheel pivoted at the center-ofsaif circular chute and having teeth projecting into said circular chute for engaging the links in said chute, said teeth being tapered so asto, act as cams to force the links through said opening, said wheel being so arranged that it is operated by the weight of the links in the chutes.

36. In combination, a chute for receiving crotched links in an end-to-end arrangement, a circular chute into which said first chute discharges substantially tangentially, said circular chute having an opening for allowing a link to slide from said circular chute out of the plane of the latter, a sliderail osition to receive astride it links which sli e through said openin a wheel pivoted at the center of said circu ar chute and having teeth projecting into said circular chute for engaging the links in said chute, and a stop for preventing said links from moving in said circular chute beyond said opening, said wheel being so arranged that it is operated by chutes.

I 37 In combination, a chute for receiving crotched links in an end-to-end arrangement, a circular chute into which said first chute discharges substantially tangentially, said circular chute having an opening for allowing a link to slide from said circular chute out of the plane of the latter, a slide rail in position to receive astride it links which slide through said opening, a wheel pivoted at the center of said circular chute and having teeth projecting into said circular chute for engaging the links in said chute, and a stop for preventing said links from moving in said circular chute beyond said opening, said stop having a beveled face which serves as a cam to force the links through said opening, said wheel bein so arranged that 1t is operated by the weight of the links in the chutes.

38. In combination, a chute for crotched links in an end-to-end arrangement, said chute having a lateral opening for allowing links to slide from said chute out of the plane of; the latter, and a slide rail in position to receive astride it links which slide the weight of the links in the through said lateral opening, said chute being arranged so that the llnks slide along it and through said opening by gravity.

39. In combination, a chute for receiving flat members in edge-to-ed e relationship, a conveyer for receiving sai flat members in side-by-side relationship, and means operated by the weight of the links in said chute for receiving said flat members from said chuteand depositing them on said conveyer.

40. In combination, a chute for receiving flat members in edge to-edge relationship, and a conveyer for receiving said flat members in side-by-side relationship, said chute being provided with a lateral opening for permitting the flat members reaching it to be discharged therethrough out of the plane of the chute, and said conveyer being arranged to receive in side-by-side relationship the flatv members discharged through said opening, said chute and said conveyer being arranged so that the flat members are moved along said chute and through said opening on to'said conveyer by the action of gravity on said flat members.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set .my hand at Indianapolis, Indiana, this 21st day ofApril, A. D. one thousand nine hundred and sixteen.

OWEN H. SPENCER. 

